The quality of organic onions is often criticized when neck rot (Botrytis aclada) causes unsightly discoloration of the peel from within.
Organic onions with neck rot that is not visible from the outside are not very pleasant for consumers. The infestation strongly depends on the weather conditions towards the end of cultivation and during harvest. It is, however, unclear how strong the impact of the variety, the drying and storage process as well as other factors of the system are. These factors are studied in field trials.
To achieve close contact and exchange with the practice from cultivation to supply, the project is implemented by FiBL and Terraviva AG (organic producers’ organisation).